London’s Hampstead Theatre, now in its new theatre in Swiss Cottage, is bidding for a solid hit with the new Hanif Kureishi’s psychological thriller, When the Night Begins. The world-premiere play opens March 11.

Kureishi is a bankable name after his film and television work, which includes such hits as “The Buddha of Suburbia,” “My Beautiful Laundrette” and his latest movie, “The Mother,” which recently won the Cannes Film Festival’s European Cinema Award. His previous stage outings include Birds of Passage for Hampstead and Sleep With Me for the National Theatre. The casting is also starrier than Hampstead has enjoyed for a while, with the two-hander starring Catherine McCormack and Michael Pennington. McCormack has cannily alternated noticeable screen turns in blockbusters like “Braveheart” and “Spy Game” with stage work, including her Olivier nominated performance in the National Theatre's All My Sons. Pennington, meanwhile, is one of Britain’s most respected stage thespians.

The play depicts McCormack’s Jane, a widow who seeks out a shadowy figure from her past. The man can barely move, but seems to hold the key to her past.

Hampstead's Anthony Clark directs, with designs by Patrick Connellan. Lighting is by Paul Pyant and sound by Gregory Clarke. For more information call (0)20 7722 9301.